Sydney Marathon mishap: Munich's Allianz Arena appears on finisher medal

In Sydney, final preparations are under way for next weekend's marathon. As the runners get ready for the race, it is the finisher medal that is unexpectedly attracting international attention. The reason: between the landmarks of the Australian metropolis, what appears to be a German football stadium has ended up on the medal.

The medal's design is actually meant to reflect the marathon course. "Those who look closely will discover the story of the course in the details," the organisers wrote on their official social media account.

But it is precisely in these details that the mistake lies, as the medal apparently shows Munich's Allianz Arena rather than the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, which the 42.2-kilometre marathon route passes. Social media mockery was not long in coming, with some users tagging FC Bayern in the post.

The organiser has since admitted the mix-up. "A little too much international flair has crept onto the back of the finisher medal, in the form of an incorrect depiction of the stadium," a spokesperson for the Sydney Marathon said. "We won't shy away from it – it was a regrettable mistake, even if it has certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend."

In Munich, the mix-up was taken with good humour. "Oh wow, that wasn't on our bingo card at all!" wrote the official Instagram account of the Allianz Arena.

More than 40,000 participants expected

More than 40,000 runners are expected to take part in the marathon next weekend. The flawed medals will not be exchanged before then.

"One week before the event, this is the medal our runners will receive," the Sydney Marathon spokesperson explained. "It is a beautiful medal, and now it is just that little bit more unique."

Since 2024, the Sydney Marathon has been part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series as its seventh race. That puts the Australian metropolis alongside Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago, New York and Tokyo.